If Manchester United's fans were going to be really pernickety - and it has been known - they might think it a shame that Sir Alex Ferguson's players approached the second half last night in a mood of conservatism rather than intent on breaking records.

Had they been feeling particularly ruthless, the Premiership champions might easily have emulated the nine goals they put past Ipswich in 1995, or at least racked up a club record in Europe.

Ferguson, of course, is mindful that Arsenal are next on Old Trafford's guest list and perhaps did not want his players to exert too much energy when, by half-time, Panathinaikos had already endured brutal punishment.

As it was, there was plenty for United to celebrate even before the substitute Eric Djemba-Djemba added the final flourish with his first United goal. Ferguson's men touched some exhilarating heights and will enjoy the view from the top of Group E before heading to Stuttgart's Gottlieb-Daimler Stadium in a fortnight's time. Ferguson described it as "the perfect start".

His team also set about answering some of the misgivings that are likely if they fail to reach the European Cup final in Gelsenkirchen next May. Quibbling with Ferguson's decisions can be a hazardous pastime, but after he sold his two best passers in David Beckham and Juan Sebastian Veron there are legitimate concerns that United may no longer have the same creativity.

A midfield trio of Nicky Butt, Phil Neville and Quinton For tune hardly doused the theory, for all their talents, but the haste with which United overwhelmed their opponents was a suitable riposte.

Panathinaikos, who were quarter-finalists two years ago, had bridled at the suggestion they would be little more than sightseers, but after 15 minutes it was clear this would be a galling experience and by half-time, with a four-goal deficit, it had become an exercise in damage limitation. It summed up their night that Antonis Nikopolidis, the hapless goalkeeper who had fumbled Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's shot for the third goal, was substituted at half-time.

Mikael Silvestre opened the floodgates, charging through a congested penalty area to bundle in Ryan Giggs's corner, and the Greeks' inquest was still in progress when a rasping shot brought Fortune his first United goal for two years and the outstanding moment of a surreal opening period.

At least Panathinaikos managed one serious attempt at Tim Howard's goal, Michalis Konstantinou drawing a wonderfully agile save from the American, but it was a brief respite and there was more punishment to come when Butt, another rare addition to the scoresheet, timed his run into the penalty area with perfection to head in John O'Shea's centre.

The only disappointing aspect for Ferguson was the premature departure of Solskjaer, Butt and O'Shea with slight injuries. Yet this was the only item of bright news for the Highbury contingent keeping a watching brief for Arsène Wenger. On last night's evidence Ferguson's players are brimming with confidence and will relish meeting the deposed Premiership champions.

The likelihood, too, is that Van Nistelrooy will be even more motivated than usual, for he will not have appreciated being overlooked in the goal rush. "When people see it was 5-0 and Ruud didn't score they will probably think it's a mistake, but his contribution was terrific," said Ferguson. "When a forward doesn't score he has to contribute in other ways and Ruud showed he's a real footballer."

There were few opportunities in a subdued second half but there was still an air of inevitability when Djemba-Djemba scored from close range. "At times we were superb," said Ferguson.

· Sir Alex Ferguson reported the "first improvement" in Paul Scholes's hernia injury and that he may not need an operation. It is still unlikely, though, that he will join England's squad for the Euro 2004 qualifier in Turkey.